Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Rose Gel Cream
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Urea + 12 moreStrong evidence
“With its sheer, delicate texture and refreshing formula enriched with niacinamide, this gel cream not only improves skin’s natural hydration, but also helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes and provides a fresh, silky sensation.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
fructose, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: helianthus annuus seed oil, coco-caprylate/caprate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, urea
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Lactic acidStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Lactic acidStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower water, Geraniol + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Rosa damascena flower water~25–37%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower waterPropanediol~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC15-19 alkane~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneNiacinamide~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideCoco-caprylate/caprate~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateGlycerin~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSuccinoglycan~1.6–2.5%
Water~1.4–2.1%
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSodium lactate~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium pca~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaHydroxyacetophenone~0.55–1.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Geraniol~0.35–0.8%
Fructose~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseUrea~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaInositol~0.1–0.45%
Lactic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidGlycine~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineEugenol~0.05–0.25%
Citronellol~0.05–0.2%
Alkanna tinctoria root extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Rosa damascena flower water, Propanediol, C15-19 alkane, Niacinamide, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glycerin, Succinoglycan, Water, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium lactate, Sodium pca, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium benzoate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Potassium sorbate, Geraniol, Fructose, Urea, Inositol, Lactic acid, Glycine, Eugenol, Citronellol, Alkanna tinctoria root extract
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Santa Maria NovellaAcqua di Rose Gel CreamYOUR PRODUCT | MarudermHyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Face & Body Cream | CosmetocriticoUltra Lipid Repair | AtwaterOil Regulator Facial Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 77% | 77% |
| Price | $85.00 | $21.99−$63.01 | — | $35.00−$50.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Lactic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Santa Maria Novella - Acqua di Rose Gel Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Urea, fructose, glycerin, glycine and inositol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (helianthus annuus seed oil and coco-caprylate/caprate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 3.50% - 5.30%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 85.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
- 6
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